Category Archives: Family News

Susannah was born not breathing and is having major complications. Much effort is being put into her care, but it is unknown if she will pull through. We would covet your prayers for Susannah and Melanie and I.

The project continues. Last week the weather was very conducive to working outside and we accomplished what we needed to. All of the children were eager to help and it was delightful working with them. It was our first experience with under-floor rough in plumbing and we found it to be a lot of hard work digging in the compacted clay.

Mary and Anna did not want to be left out and asked to be able to work with the rest of us. We had the sweetest fellowship while we worked. We receive quite a few emails from ladies asking how ladies can still be modest while wearing dresses/jumpers. You can tell from the photos that it wasn’t a problem for our girls. I’m delighted that my children are happy to work beside their father and not seeking to go off and waste their time. Working together is such a blessing for all and besides that, we learned a lot in the process.

Melanie and baby continue to be doing well. Melanie is having more contractions and getting more uncomfortable in general. But, we hear that’s how pregnancies go. 🙂

The most recent Dr’s appointment was very positive.

We continue to be blessed with care from my family. Even during the house building project there is always someone at least available and often over here. Recently a deliveryman brought something to the door and was ringing the doorbell. Melanie called across the street and Sarah came running over to receive the package. My mom, with all she has going on, spends time visiting with Melanie, cleaning, tidying, and whatever else needs to be done over here. Mary and Anna are becoming quite skilled Momma/baby-sitters. My grandma sends meals over, is great company for Melanie, and continues to take care of our laundry. We are so grateful for the care we are receiving. It is allowing Melanie to stay down and rest–exactly what she’s supposed to be doing.

Spring with the Moodys went to our proofreader today! The proofreader will have it forÂ three weeks. I then have two weeks to work through the edits and prepare the book for the final format.

The house work is coming along! Last Thursday afternoon, the foundation walls were poured. The whole family was out to watch the exciting eventâ€”it was so wonderful to see the house really taking shape. Mary was our little baker last week and supplied the workmen with cookies and brownies.

Today, Dad rented a TracHoe so that we could dig a trench for the sewer and drainage. While Dad, John, and Joseph worked on the trench, Christopher, Anna, Jesse, and Mary waterproofed the outside foundation walls (looks like blue paint!). There is still a lot of work to be done tomorrow; please pray for the guysâ€™ strength and that the job will get done! As soon as our part is done, weâ€™ll turn it over to the contractors who will do the flat work (i.e. basement floor, etc), and then framing the house in. Weâ€™ll take it over after that :-).

Joyfully His,

Sarah

Most of the family watching the pumper lower down!

Ready to watch the action!

John–I think he used a shovel a fair amount today!

Our wonderful Daddy!

Mary and Anna waterproofing the foundation

Jesse and Christopher working together

Joseph — down next to the foundation working!

Honey found a steak bone and was happy to hold onto it. We finally convinced her to “drop it” with dog biscuits….

We wanted to give everyone a brief update. Melanie continues to have some contractions but is resting at home. She is being a great sport about the bedrest. Having my family so close is a huge blessing; Melanie’s family is reasonably close which is nice as well. Frequently one of our little sisters will bring their schoolwork over and be Melanie’s little personal assistant for the morning/day. My grandma has become official laundry lady–every time clean clothes come out of our drawers we are grateful (I don’t think I would be getting it done very regularly :).).Â My mom is over a number of times each day helping out with things here and there, she’ll just see something around the house and take care of it–we are greatly blessed.

We continue to pray that Little One remains where he/she is at for at least a few more weeks. We have met with the surgeon who will perform Baby’s surgery and feel comfortable with who God has provided to handle this issue.

Our desire in all this is that our Lord will be honored and glorified. He has formed Baby this way for a specific purpose. Yes, this has created some trauma and concern in our hearts, but we are learning to trust. God is in perfect control. This is not just something I am typing because it’s the obligatory way to end a note like this but something we are truly internalizing — we are learning to trust. We’ve never been so powerless to affect a situation; we’re troubled at the thought of Baby being rushed to the Neo-Natal ICU after birth, stuck, tubed, and who knows what else. But, God has planned each step of this little life out, that doesn’t just begin when he/she turns 18, it begins when life begins — at conception — far before birth.

Please pray that we will be a witness for our Lord Jesus Christ as we have opportunities to interact with so many different people. We want to be bold in identifying with Christ and communicating where our trust and confidence is.

In a recent blog post, I shared that with the ministry, our family has outgrown our current house.

The first picture is of the boys cleaning off the street near the new house Wednesday. Weâ€™ve had some work being done for the sewer, and the street had a nice bit of mud on it.

Then, Joseph and I staked out the house today! Next week, Lord willing, if the frost is out of the ground, the excavation of the basement will be done, and possibly the foundation poured. Itâ€™s exciting to see the work making progress!

BTW â€“ thank you to everyone who is praying for Melanie and little baby Maxwell. Melanie is doing well!